15 Best 'Family Guy' episodes

- Season 16, Episode 1
- IMDb rating: 8.2
- IMDb votes: 12.7K
- Aired on: Oct. 1, 2017

While "Emmy-Winning Episode" wasn't exactly that, it still makes for one of the show's best outings. Featuring a host of celebrity guest voices, it follows Peter as he tries to make his show more like award-winning shows. When comedy spoofs don't work, he moves on to aping dramas such as "Breaking Bad" and "The Sopranos."

- Season 9, Episode 7
- IMDb rating: 8.2
- IMDb votes: 2.9K
- Aired on: Dec. 12, 2010

Wrapping a Christmas featurette and roadshow installment into a tight package, this classic episode sends Stewie and Brian to the North Pole. It's there that they discover the horrible truth behind Santa's workshop. Seth MacFarlane's father Ron delivers occasional live-action narration and proves that the apple did not fall too far from the tree.

- Season 6, Episode 1
- IMDb rating: 8.2
- IMDb votes: 8.7K
- Aired on: Sept. 23, 2007

A semi-faithful parody of "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope," this hour-long episode occupies its own special space in the show's lore. Lucasfilm gave Seth MacFarlane clearance on the condition that the "characters look exactly like they do in the movies." Guest stars include everyone from Chevy Chase to Rush Limbaugh.

- Season 5, Episode 1
- IMDb rating: 8.2
- IMDb votes: 2.6K
- Aired on: Sept. 10, 2006

Stewie's typical hostility toward Lois undergoes a dramatic transformation, to the point that he's soon smothering her with affection. As he becomes more and more insufferable, Lois begins fantasizing about a different type of smothering. Over at the doctor's office, Peter's prostate exam leaves him feeling violated like so many well-known movie characters before him.

- Season 4, Episode 6
- IMDb rating: 8.2
- IMDb votes: 3K
- Aired on: June 19, 2005

The political incorrectness doesn't get much more incorrect than this beloved episode, in which Peter is deemed mentally disabled. Subtlety is not the show's strong suit, and there's no beating around the bush as Peter proceeds to wreak all sorts of havoc. The title pretty much says it all.

- Season 2, Episode 6
- IMDb rating: 8.2
- IMDb votes: 3.4K
- Aired on: March 21, 2000

The character of Death first appears in this season two episode, with Norm Macdonald providing the voice. When Peter takes over Death's job, he wastes little time in spreading the word and abusing his powers. In a somewhat ironic twist of fate, "The Simpsons" later featured a similar premise during one of its "Treehouse of Horror" segments.

- Season 6, Episode 4
- IMDb rating: 8.3
- IMDb votes: 2.9K
- Aired on: Nov. 4, 2007

In the first half of this two-parter, Lois and Peter take off for an embarrassing cruise ride. When Stewie arrives on board, he makes good on his promise to kill Lois once and for all. Peter is suspected of the crime and a ridiculous trial ensues, climaxing with a cliffhanger.

- Season 13, Episode 1
- IMDb rating: 8.4
- IMDb votes: 5.6K
- Aired on: Sept. 28, 2014

A ratings smash, this crossover episode appeased more fans than it did critics. It sends the Griffins to Springfield, where they shack up with the Simpsons and later defend themselves against charges of copyright theft. It all leads to an epic fight sequence between Homer and Peter, two of animation's most iconic patriarchs.

- Season 11, Episode 4
- IMDb rating: 8.4
- IMDb votes: 2.6K
- Aired on: Nov. 11, 2012

Due to a time machine malfunction, the episode's story line and a number of the show's most classic bits unravel in reverse. "Oh my God, we're getting closer to the beginning. You're Lacey Chabert!" Stewie screams at Meg. He's making reference to the actress who voiced Meg's character before Mila Kunis came onboard.

- Season 6, Episode 5
- IMDb rating: 8.4
- IMDb votes: 2.8K
- Aired on: Nov. 11, 2007

A two-part saga concludes to downright zany effect, with Stewie enacting his plans for world domination. That brings him to Washington D.C. where he crosses paths with Agents Stan Smith and Avery Bullock of "American Dad!" Will Stewie finally conquer the world or will Lois stop her own baby in his tracks?

- Season 5, Episode 18
- IMDb rating: 8.4
- IMDb votes: 2.8K
- Aired on: May 20, 2007

Peter travels back in time to enjoy the single life and ends up restructuring the course of history. Upon his return to the present day, he discovers that he's now married to Molly Ringwald and Lois is married to Quagmire. If he can just stop dancing to the "Beverly Hills Cop" theme music—a task much easier said than done—he might be able to make things right.

- Season 4, Episode 14
- IMDb rating: 8.5
- IMDb votes: 3.4K
- Aired on: Nov. 6, 2005

When Peter launches his own television network, it prompts a gnarly showdown with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Awash with pointed jabs and crude humor, the episode was directly inspired by the staff's own grievances over censorship issues and FCC double standards. The cultural references fly as early as the revised opening credits sequence, which pays tribute to the "Naked Gun" movies and ends with Stewie chasing Homer Simpson into the garage.

- Season 9, Episode 1
- IMDb rating: 8.7
- IMDb votes: 4.3K
- Aired on: Sept. 26, 2010

The show's first episode to air in the HD 16:9 format, this hour-long premiere comes straight out of Agatha Christie's famous novel. A dinner party at James Woods' mansion turns into a plot-twisting murder mystery, as familiar characters die off one by one. In atypical fashion, the episode largely eschews irreverent gags in favor of streamlined storytelling.

- Season 10, Episode 5
- IMDb rating: 8.8
- IMDb votes: 3.7K
- Aired on: Nov. 13, 2011

Stewie and Brian hop into a time machine and head "Back to the Pilot" in this episode of the same name. Not only does the show resurrect certain aspects of its old animation style, but actress Lacey Chabert reprises her role as the voice of Meg. Throughout the episode, Stewie points out former mistakes such as the TV being unplugged and Peter's eye appearing over his nose.

- Season 8, Episode 1
- IMDb rating: 9.1
- IMDb votes: 5.4K
- Aired on: Sept. 27, 2009

Peter Griffin might be the show's heart and soul, but the fans just can't get enough of Stewie and Brian. The highest-ranking episode follows these two lovable characters through a host of parallel universes, where they encounter alternate realities and alternate animation styles alike. In one universe, various "Family Guy" regulars take the form of treasured Disney characters.

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